Showing posts with label Complications. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Complications. Show all posts

Wisdom tooth removal - Complications


Complications-Wisdom tooth removal







As with any type of surgery, wisdom tooth removal carries some risks. However, these risks are usually small.
Risks can include:
  • dry socket – where a blood clot fails to develop in the tooth socket, or if the blood clot becomes dislodged 
  • nerve injury – this can cause temporary or permanent problems, such as tingling or numbness 
  • infection – signs include a high temperature, yellow or white discharge from the extraction site, and persistent pain and swelling
  • bleeding
See your dentist if you have signs of infection after having your wisdom teeth removed, or if you're bleeding heavily from the extraction site.

Dry socket

Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) is one of the most common complications of wisdom tooth removal. It's where a blood clot fails to develop in the tooth socket, or if the blood clot becomes dislodged or disappears. This can happen 3 to 5 days after surgery.
The empty socket causes an ache or throbbing pain in your gum or jaw, which can be intense like a toothache. There may also be an unpleasant smell or taste from the empty tooth socket. If you look into the socket, you might be able to see exposed bone rather than a blood clot.
You're more at risk of developing dry socket if:
  • you don't follow your dentist's instructions after the extraction
  • you smoke
  • you've had the condition before
  • you're over 25 years old
  • the extraction was difficult or complicated
See your dentist or surgeon if you think you have dry socket. They can flush any debris out of the socket or cover it with a medicated dressing, which may be removed and replaced frequently until it heals.

Nerve injury

Although far less common than dry socket, injury to sections of a nerve called the trigeminal nerve is another possible complication of wisdom tooth removal. It can cause pain, a tingling sensation and numbness in your tongue, lower lip, chin, teeth and gums.
The damage is usually temporary, lasting for a few weeks or months. However, it can be permanent if the nerve has been severely damaged.
A nerve injury can interfere with your daily activities, making things such as eating and drinking difficult. However, a nerve injury will only cause sensation problems – it won't cause any weakness to your lip or tongue.
Your dentist or surgeon will try to minimise the possibility of nerve damage when removing your wisdom tooth, and they should tell you about the risk of complications before the procedure.

General anaesthetic

General anaesthetic is occasionally needed for the removal of wisdom teeth.
It carries some additional risks, but complications are very rare, occurring in less than 1 in every 10,000 cases.
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Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia - Complications

Complications-Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia




As most cases of vitamin B12 deficiency or folate deficiency can be easily and effectively treated, complications are rare.
But complications can occasionally develop, particularly if you have been deficient in either vitamin for some time.

Anaemia complications

All types of anaemia, regardless of the cause, can lead to heart and lung complications as the heart struggles to pump oxygen to the vital organs.
Adults with severe anaemia are at risk of developing:
  • an abnormally fast heartbeat (tachycardia)
  • heart failure, where the heart fails to pump enough blood around the body at the right pressure

Complications of vitamin B12 deficiency

A lack of vitamin B12 (with or without anaemia) can cause complications.

Neurological changes

A lack of vitamin B12 can cause neurological problems, which affect your nervous system, such as:
If neurological problems do develop, they may be irreversible.

Infertility

Vitamin B12 deficiency can sometimes lead to temporary infertility, an inability to conceive.
This usually improves with appropriate vitamin B12 treatment.

Stomach cancer

If you have a vitamin B12 deficiency caused by pernicious anaemia, a condition where your immune system attacks healthy cells in your stomach, your risk of developing stomach cancer is increased.

Neural tube defects

If you're pregnant, not having enough vitamin B12 can increase the risk of your baby developing a serious birth defect known as a neural tube defect.
The neural tube is a narrow channel that eventually forms the brain and spinal cord. 
Examples of neural tube defects include:
  • spina bifida – where the baby's spine does not develop properly
  • anencephaly – where a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull
  • encephalocele – where a membrane or skin-covered sac containing part of the brain pushes out of a hole in the skull

Complications of folate deficiency

A lack of folate (with or without anaemia) can also cause complications.

Infertility

As with a lack of vitamin B12, a folate deficiency can also affect your fertility.
But this is only temporary and can usually be reversed with folate supplements.

Cardiovascular disease

Research has shown a lack of folate in your body may increase your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). 
CVD is a general term that describes a disease of the heart or blood vessels, such as coronary heart disease.

Cancer

Research has shown that folate deficiency can increase your risk of some cancers, such as colon cancer.

Problems in childbirth

A lack of folate during pregnancy may increase the risk of the baby being born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy) or having a low birth weight.
The risk of placental abruption may also be increased. This is a serious condition where the placenta starts to come away from the inside of the womb wall, causing tummy (abdominal) pain and bleeding from the vagina.

Neural tube defects and folic acid

As with a vitamin B12 deficiency, a lack of folate can also affect an unborn baby's growth and development in the womb (uterus).
This increases the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, developing in the unborn baby.
It's recommended that all women who could get pregnant should take a daily supplement of folic acid.
You should take a 400 microgram supplement of folic acid every day before you get pregnant, and up until you're 12 weeks pregnant.
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Varicose veins - Complications

Complications-Varicose veins




Varicose veins can cause complications because they stop your blood flowing properly.
Most people who have varicose veins won't develop complications. If they do, it's usually several years after varicose veins first appear.
Some possible complications of varicose veins are explained below.

Bleeding

Varicose veins near the surface of your skin can sometimes bleed if you cut or bump your leg. The bleeding may be difficult to stop.
You should lie down, raise your leg and apply direct pressure to the wound. Seek immediate medical advice if this doesn't stop the bleeding.

Blood clots

If blood clots form in veins located just under the surface of your skin (superficial veins), it could lead to conditions such as: 

Chronic venous insufficiency

If the blood in your veins doesn't flow properly, it can interfere with the way your skin exchanges oxygen, nutrients and waste products with your blood.
If the exchange is disrupted over a long period of time, it's known as chronic venous insufficiency.
Chronic venous insufficiency can sometimes cause other conditions to develop, including:
  • varicose eczema – a condition that causes your skin to become red, scaly and flaky
  • lipodermatosclerosis – which causes your skin, usually around the calf area, to become hardened and tight, and you may find it turns a red or brown colour
  • venous leg ulcers – this develops when there's increased pressure in the veins of your lower leg, which may eventually cause an ulcer
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Ulcerative colitis - Complications


Complications-Ulcerative colitis




If you have ulcerative colitis, you could develop further problems.

Osteoporosis

People with ulcerative colitis are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis, when the bones become weak and are more likely to fracture.
This is not directly caused by ulcerative colitis, but can develop as a side effect of the prolonged use of corticosteroid medication.
It can also be caused by the dietary changes someone with the condition may take, such as avoiding dairy products, if they believe it could be triggering their symptoms.
If you're thought to be at risk of osteoporosis, the health of your bones will be regularly monitored.
You may also be advised to take medication or supplements of vitamin D and calcium to strengthen your bones.

Poor growth and development

Ulcerative colitis, and some of the treatments for it, can affect growth and delay puberty.
Children and young people with ulcerative colitis should have their height and body weight measured regularly by healthcare professionals.
This should be checked against average measurements for their age.
These checks should be carried out every 3 to 12 months, depending on the person's age, the treatment they're having and the severity of their symptoms.
If there are problems with your child's growth or development, they may be referred to a paediatrician (a specialist in treating children and young people).

Primary sclerosing cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), where the bile ducts become progressively inflamed and damaged over time, is a rare complication of ulcerative colitis.
Bile ducts are small tubes used to transport bile (digestive juice) out of the liver and into the digestive system.
PSC does not usually cause symptoms until it's at an advanced stage.
Symptoms can include:
  • fatigue (extreme tiredness)
  • diarrhoea 
  • itchy skin
  • weight loss
  • chills
  • a high temperature (fever)
  • yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
There's currently no specific treatment for PSC, although medications can be used to relieve some of the symptoms, such as itchy skin.
In more severe cases, a liver transplant may be required.

Toxic megacolon

Toxic megacolon is a rare and serious complication of severe ulcerative colitis where inflammation in the colon causes gas to become trapped, resulting in the colon becoming enlarged and swollen.
This is potentially very dangerous as it can cause the colon to rupture (split) and cause infection in the blood (septicaemia).
The symptoms of a toxic megacolon include:
  • tummy pain
  • a high temperature (fever)
  • a rapid heart rate
Toxic megacolon can be treated with fluids, antibiotics and steroids given directly into a vein (intravenously).
If medications do not improve the conditions quickly, surgical removal of the colon (a colectomy) may be needed.
Treating symptoms of ulcerative colitis before they become severe can help prevent toxic megacolon.

Bowel cancer

People who have ulcerative colitis have an increased risk of developing bowel cancer (cancer of the colon, rectum or bowel), especially if the condition is severe or involves most of the colon.
The longer you have ulcerative colitis, the greater the risk.
People with ulcerative colitis are often unaware they have bowel cancer as the initial symptoms of this type of cancer are similar.
These include:
  • blood in the stools
  • diarrhoea
  • abdominal pain
You'll usually have regular check-ups to look for signs of bowel cancer from about 10 years after your symptoms first develop.
Check-ups will involve examining your bowel with a colonoscope (a long, flexible tube containing a camera) that's inserted into your rectum – this is called a colonoscopy.
The frequency of the colonoscopy examinations will increase the longer you live with the condition, and will also depend on factors such as how severe your ulcerative colitis is and if you have a family history of bowel cancer.
This can vary between every 1 to 5 years.
To reduce the risk of bowel cancer, it's important to:
  • eat a healthy, balanced diet including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables
  • take regular exercise
  • maintain a healthy weight
  • avoid alcohol and smoking
Taking aminosalicylates as prescribed can also help reduce your risk of bowel cancer.
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Typhoid fever - Complications

Complications-Typhoid fever




Complications caused by typhoid fever usually only occur in people who haven't been treated with appropriate antibiotics or who weren't treated straight away.
In such cases, about 1 in 10 people experience complications, which usually develop during the third week of infection.
The 2 most common complications in untreated typhoid fever are:
  • internal bleeding in the digestive system
  • splitting (perforation) of a section of the digestive system or bowel, which spreads the infection to nearby tissue

Internal bleeding

Most internal bleeding that occurs in typhoid fever isn't life threatening, but it can make you feel very unwell.
Symptoms include:
  • feeling tired all the time
  • breathlessness
  • pale skin
  • an irregular heartbeat
  • vomiting blood
  • poo (stools) that are very dark or tar-like
A blood transfusion may be required to replace lost blood, and surgery can be used to repair the site of the bleeding.

Perforation

Perforation is potentially a very serious complication. This is because bacteria that live in your digestive system can move into your stomach and infect the lining of your abdomen (the peritoneum). This is known as peritonitis.
Peritonitis is a medical emergency as the tissue of the peritoneum is usually sterile (germ-free).
Unlike other parts of the body, such as the skin, the peritoneum doesn't have an inbuilt defence mechanism for fighting infection.
In peritonitis, the infection can rapidly spread into the blood (sepsis) before spreading to other organs.
This carries the risk of multiple organ failure. If it isn't treated properly, it may result in death.
The most common symptom of peritonitis is sudden abdominal pain that gets progressively worse.
If you have peritonitis, you'll be admitted to hospital, where you'll be treated with antibiotic injections.
Surgery will then be used to seal the hole in your intestinal wall.
Read more about treating peritonitis.
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Tracheostomy - Complications

Complications-Tracheostomy




A tracheostomy is usually safe and straightforward but, as with many medical procedures, it does carry a risk of complications.
The likelihood of complications will depend on:
  • your age and general health
  • the reason you need the tracheostomy
Generally, a planned tracheostomy carries a lower risk of complications than an emergency tracheostomy.

Early complications

Some of the complications that can occur during or shortly after a tracheostomy are outlined below.

Bleeding

It's common for some bleeding to occur from the windpipe (trachea) or the tracheostomy itself.
This is usually minor and improves within a few days, although in some cases it can be significant and a blood transfusion may be necessary.

Collapsed lung

Sometimes air will collect around the lungs and cause them to collapse inwards. This is known as a pneumothorax.
In mild cases, this often corrects itself without the need for treatment. In more serious cases, a tube will need to be surgically implanted into the chest to drain the air away.

Accidental injury

The nerves near the windpipe can be accidentally damaged, such as those controlling the voice box (larynx) or the tube that runs from the back of the throat to the stomach (oesophagus). This may cause problems with speaking and swallowing.

Infection

The windpipe or nearby tissues can become infected. If this happens, treatment is usually with antibiotics.

Late complications

Some of the complications that can occur days, weeks or even months after a tracheostomy are described below.

Failure to heal

Sometimes the tracheostomy wound doesn't heal properly and starts to bleed. If this happens, the tracheostomy tube may need to be temporarily removed so surgery can be carried out to stem the bleeding.

Blocked tracheostomy tube

There is a risk that the tracheostomy tube could become suddenly or gradually blocked with mucus and fluids if you're unable to clear your airways by coughing.
This risk can be reduced by ensuring the tube is cleaned regularly and any fluid is suctioned out.

Collapsed windpipe

Sometimes the windpipe collapses in on itself because its walls aren't strong enough to support it. This usually occurs when the tracheostomy tube hasn't been fitted properly. Treatment involves further surgery.

Narrowed windpipe

Accidental damage to the throat can result in the airways becoming scarred and narrowed, which can cause breathing difficulties.
Surgery may be needed to widen the airways. This may involve implanting a small tube called a stent to keep the airways open.
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Stomach ulcer - Complications

Complications-Stomach ulcer




Complications of stomach ulcers are relatively uncommon, but they can be very serious if they do occur.

Internal bleeding

Internal bleeding is the most common complication of stomach ulcers. It can occur when an ulcer develops at the site of a blood vessel.
The bleeding can either be:
You should visit your GP if you have persistent symptoms of anaemia. If they think you may have a stomach ulcer, they may refer you to a gastroenterologist for an examination and treatment.
Contact your GP or NHS 111 immediately, or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department, if you have symptoms of more severe bleeding.
An endoscopy will be used to identify the cause of the bleeding and treatment can be given during the endoscopy to stop the bleeding.
Sometimes specialised procedures carried out under X-rayguidance are used to stop bleeding ulcers, although surgery may occasionally be required to repair the affected blood vessel.
Blood transfusions may also be needed to replace the blood you have lost.

Perforation

A rarer complication of stomach ulcers is the lining of the stomach splitting open, known as perforation.
This can be very serious because it enables the bacteria that live in your stomach to escape and infect the lining of your abdomen (peritoneum). This is known as peritonitis.
In peritonitis, an infection can rapidly spread into the blood (sepsis) before spreading to other organs. This carries the risk of multiple organ failure and can be fatal if left untreated.
The most common symptom of peritonitis is sudden abdominal pain that gets steadily worse. 
If you have this type of pain, contact your GP immediately. If this isn't possible, call NHS 111 or your local out-of-hours service.
Peritonitis is a medical emergency that requires hospital admission. In some cases, surgery may be needed.
Read more about treating peritonitis.

Gastric outlet obstruction

In some cases, an inflamed (swollen) or scarred stomach ulcer can obstruct the normal passage of food through your digestive system. This is known as gastric outlet obstruction.
Symptoms can include:
  • repeated episodes of vomiting, with large amounts of vomit that contain undigested food
  • a persistent feeling of bloating or fullness
  • feeling very full after eating less food than usual
  • unexplained weight loss
An endoscopy can be used to confirm the obstruction. If the obstruction is caused by inflammation, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H2-receptor antagonists can be used to reduce stomach acid levels until the swelling goes down.
If the obstruction is caused by scar tissue, surgery may be needed to treat it, although it can sometimes be treated by passing a small balloon through an endoscope and inflating it to widen the site of the obstruction.
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Sjögren's syndrome - Complications

Complications-Sjögren's syndrome




Sjögren's syndrome can sometimes lead to further problems or occur alongside other conditions.

Eye problems

If you have very dry eyes and they're not treated, there's a risk the front layer of your eyes could become damaged over time.
If this isn't spotted and treated, it could lead to permanent problems with your vision.
There are several treatments for dry eyes that can help reduce this risk. You should also have regular check-ups with an optician so any problems are picked up early on.
Contact your GP as soon as possible if you have problems with your vision.

Lung problems

Sometimes Sjögren's syndrome can affect the lungs and cause problems such as:
  • lung infections
  • widening of the airways in the lungs (bronchiectasis)
  • scarring of the lungs
If you smoke, stopping may help reduce the risk of these conditions. Read more advice about stopping smoking.
See your GP if you develop a cough, wheezing or shortness of breath that doesn't go away.

Pregnancy complications

Most women with Sjögren's syndrome can get pregnant and have healthy babies.
But if you're planning a pregnancy, it's a good idea to get advice from your GP or specialist because there's a small risk of complications in some women.
These include:
  • a rash in the baby that lasts a few weeks
  • serious heart problems in the baby
These problems can occur if you have certain antibodies (produced by the immune system) sometimes found in people with Sjögren's syndrome. A blood test can be done to look for these.
If these antibodies are found, you can still get pregnant, but you may need additional specialist care during pregnancy and after the birth.

Cancer

People with Sjögren's syndrome have an increased risk of developing a type of cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
This affects the lymphatic system, a network of vessels and glands found throughout the body.
Research suggests people with Sjögren's syndrome are about five times more likely to get non-Hodgkin lymphoma than those who don't have the condition, but the chances of getting it are still small.
See your GP if you develop symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, such as:
  • painless swollen glands, usually in the neck, armpit or groin
  • night sweats
  • unintended weight loss 
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can often be cured if it's caught early on.

Other problems

A number of other conditions have been linked to Sjögren's syndrome, including: 
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